Triaxial Shear Test
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TRIAXIAL SHEAR TEST 1. Objective The tri-axial shear test is most versatile of all the shear test testing methods for getting shear strength of soil i.e. Cohesion (C) and Angle of Internal Friction (Ø), though it is bit complicated. This test can measure the total as well as effective stress parameters both. These two parameters are required for design of slopes, calculation of bearing capacity of any strata, calculation of consolidation parameters and in many other analyses. This test can be conducted on any type of soil, drainage conditions can be controlled, pore water pressure measurements can be made accurately and volume changes can be measured. In this test, the failure plane is not forced, the stress distribution of failure plane is fairly uniform and specimen can fail on any weak plane or can simply bulge. 2. Apparatus Required Fig. 1: Triaxial Shear Test Apparatus Fig. 2: Triaxial Shear Test Setup Fig. 3: 3.8 cm (1.5 inch) internal diameter 12.5 cm (5 inches) long sample tubes. Fig. 4: Rubber Ring Fig. 5: Open ended cylindrical section Fig. 6: Weighing balance 3. Reference 1. IS 2720(Part 11):1993 Determination of the shear strength parameters of a specimen tested in unconsolidated undrained triaxial compression without the measurement of pore water pressure (first revision). Reaffirmed- Dec 2016. 2. IS 2720(Part 12):1981 Determination of Shear Strength parameters of Soil from consolidated undrained triaxial compression test with measurement of pore water pressure (first revision). Reaffirmed- Dec 2016. 4. Procedure 4.1 Triaxial Test on Cohesive Soil: 4.1.1 Consolidated Undrained test: A de-aired, coarse porous disc or stone is placed on the top of the pedestal in the triaxial test apparatus. A filter paper disc is kept over the porous stone. The specimen of the cohesive soil is then placed over the filter paper disc. The usual size of the specimen is about 37.5mm diameter and 75.0mm height. A porous stone is also placed on the top of the specimen. De-aired vertical filter strips are placed at regular spacing around the entire periphery such that these touch both the porous stones. The sample in then enclosed in a rubber membrane, which is slided over the specimen with the help of a membrane stretcher. The membrane is sealed to the specimen with O-rings. The triaxial cell is placed over the base and fixed to it by tightening the nuts. The cell is then filled with water by connecting it to the pressure supply. Some space in the top portion of the cell is filled by injecting oil through the oil valve. When excess oil begins to spill out through the air-vent valve, both the valves (oil valve and air-vent valve) are closed. Pressure is applied to the water fiiled in the cell by connecting it to the mercury-pot system. As soon as the pressure acts on the specimen, it starts consolidating. The specimen is connected to the burette through pressure connections for measurement of volume changes. The consolidation is complete when there is no more volume change. When the consolidation is complete, the specimen is ready for being sheared. The drainage valve is closed. The pore water pressure measurement device is attached to the specimen through the pressure connections. The proving ring dial gauge is set to zero. Using the manual control provided in the loading frame, the ram is pushed into the cell but not allowed to touch the loading cap. The loading machine is then run at the selected speed. The proving ring records the force due to friction and the upward thrust acting on the ram. The machine is stopped, and with the manual control, the ram is pushed further into the cell bringing it in contact with the loading cap. The dial gauge for the measuring axial deformation of the specimen is set to zero. The sample is sheared by applying the deviator stress by the loading machine. The proving ring readings are generally taken corresponding to axial strains of 1/3%, 2/3%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, until failure or 20% axial strain. Upon completion of the test, the loading is shut off. Using the manual control, all additional axial stress is removed. The cell pressure is then reduced to zero and the cell is emptied. The triaxial cell is unscrewed and removed from the base. O-rings are taken out, and the membrane is removed. The specimen is then recovered after removing the loading cap and the top porous stone. The filter paper strips are peeled off. The post-shear mass and length are determined. The water content of the specimen is also found. 4.1.2 Unconsolidated Undrained test: The procedure is similar to that for a consolidated-undrained test, with one basic difference that the specimen is not allowed to consolidate in the first stage. The drainage valve during the test is kept closed. However, the specimen can be connected to the pore-water pressure measurement device if required. Shearing of the specimen is started just after the application of the cell pressure. The second stage is exactly the same as in the consolidated-undrained test described above. 4.1.3 Consolidated Drained test: The procedure is similar to that for a consolidated-undrained test, with one basic difference that the specimen is sheared slowly in the second stage. After the consolidation of the specimen in the first stage, the drainage valve is not closed. It remains connected to the burette throughout the test. The volume changes during the shearing stage are measured with the help of the burette. As the permeability of cohesive soils is very low, it takes 4-5 days for the consolidated drained test. 4.2. Triaxial tests on Cohesionless Soils: Triaxial tests on specimens of cohesionless soils can be conducted using the procedure as described for cohesive soils. As the samples of cohesionless soils cannot stand of their own, a special procedure is used for preparation of the sample as described below. A metal former, which is a split mould of about 38.5mm internal diameter, is used for the preparation of the sample (Fig.3). A coarse porous stone is placed on the top of the pedestal of the triaxial base and the pressure connection is attached to a burette (not shown). One end of a membrane is sealed to the pedestal by O-rings. The metal former is clamped to the base. The upper metal ring of the former is kept inside the top end of the rubber membrane and is held with the help of clamp before placing the funnel and the rubber bung in position . The membrane and the funnel are filled with de-aired water. The cohesionless soil which is to be tested is saturated by mixing it with enough water in a beaker. The mixture is boiled to remove the entrapped air. The saturated soil is deposited in the funnel, with a stopper in position, in the required quantity. The glass rod is then removed and the sample builds up by a continuous rapid flow of saturated soil in the former. The funnel is then removed. The funnel is then removed. The sample may be compacted if required. The surface of the sample is leveled and a porous stone is placed on its top. The loading cap is placed gently on the top porous stone. O-rings are fixed over the top of the rubber membrane. A small negative pressure is applied to the sample by lowering the burette. The negative pressure gives rigidity to the sample and it can stand without any lateral support. For sample of 37.5mm diameter, a negative pressure of 20cm of water (or 2 kN/m2) is sufficient. As soon as the negative pressure is applied, the consolidation of the sample occurs and it slightly shortens. The diameter of the upper porous stone should be slightly smaller than that of the specimen so that it can go inside when the sample shortens; otherwise, a neck is formed. The split mould is then removed and the diameter and the height of the sample are measured. The thickness of the membrane is deducted from the total diameter to get the net diameter of the sample. The cell is then placed over the base and clamped to the base. It is then filled with water. The rest of the procedure is the same as for cohesive soils. 5. Computation Of Various Parameters: 5.1 Post-Consolidation Dimensions: In consolidated-drained and consolidated-undrained tests, the consolidation of the specimen takes place during the first stage. As the volume of the specimen decreases, its post-consolidation dimensions are different from the initial dimensions. The post consolidation dimensions can be determined approximately assuming that the sample remains cylindrical and it behaves isotropically. Let Li, Di and Vi be the length, diameter and the volume of the specimen before consolidation. Let L0, D0 and V0 be the corresponding quantities after consolidation. Volumetric change, Δ Vi = Vi – V0 Volumetric change is measured with the help of burette. Volumetric strain, Єv = Δ Vi / Vi For isotropic consolidation, the volumetric strain is three times the linear strain (Єl), thus: Єl = Єv / 3 L0 = Li – Δ Li = Li – Li x Єl L0 = Li (1 - Єl) = Li (1 – Єv/3) Similarly, D0 = Di (1 – Єv/3) The post consolidation diameter D0 can also be computed after L0 has been determined from the relation: (ϖ/4. D 02) x L0 = V0 Or D0 = √ V0 / [(ϖ/4) x L0] 5.2 Cross-sectional area during Shear Stage: As the sample is sheared, its length decreases and the diameter increases.